City Police Squad On A 4-year Roll

Company Donates 2 Bicycles To Unit

HARTFORD — Soon after joining the police department's bicycle patrol unit, Officer Bob Russell found out something about criminals that he couldn't explain.

Even though he wore a bike officer's blue polo shirt and shorts, badge, and equipment-laden gunbelt, some drug dealers and other criminals wouldn't immediately bolt as he rode up on them.

``I have literally pedaled up to a drug dealer, took his drugs out of his hand and said, `You're under arrest.' I guess they don't expect a police officer to come at them on a bicycle,'' he said. ``They react differently than they would to a cruiser or an officer on foot.''

Russell helped organize the 35- member bike unit, which was bolstered Tuesday by a company's donation of two black and white mountain bikes costing $1,100 each.

Richard Carotenuti, a partner at C.W. Costello & Associates, a computer consulting firm with a local office in Middletown, said the donation was a way ``of saying thank you to the officers who put their lives on the line every day.''

The bike squad formed four years ago and has been an effective crime- fighting and community-relations tool, Chief Joseph F. Croughwell Jr. said.

``The bike officers have captured murderers and bank robbers, but they also just help people feel safer. It's been a great point of contact for people,'' Croughwell said.

Mayor Michael P. Peters, on hand for the donation, said the bike duty helps keep the officers in shape. Officer Kent A. Lee Sr., who joined the unit a year ago, said he logs about 30 miles a week on the job.

Officer Rob Whitlock drove a cruiser for nine years before signing up for bike duty.

``There's things you hear and see from a bike that you miss in a car,'' said Whitlock, who patrols downtown. ``You're closer to the people.''

Russell said he's proud of the unit's commitment to spreading the word about bicycle safety.